Mark it down — 2009 is the year Don Felice took local cycling to another level.

The Lewiston native formed Club Bike Boy, a group of five men sharing cycling as a common interest, in March. Since then, the club has expanded to 17 members, with two competitive racing teams within it. Both teams operate under the name Bike Boy Racing, but each one has a different national sponsor — Warp 9 Bikes (Cleveland, Tenn.) and AeroCat High Performance Bicycles (Portland, Ind.). Warp 9 served as a sponsor for the entire season and is signed with Bike Boy until 2011. Felice finalized the AeroCat deal just this month.

“Bike Boy Racing took off,” Felice said. “We have gone national. I am ecstatic as far as what we’ve put together. A lot of riders that joined me had no clue what it takes to ride at this level. Now they’re hooked. I’ve got guys still riding right now in this cold weather.”

The squad tallied 10 wins, 19 podium finishes and 36 top-10s at 51 events this year throughout the United States and Canada. It also earned a medal at the state championships. As a result, Bike Boy already has 70 races spanning six states and three countries planned for the 2010 season, along with a host of other sponsors looking to lend their support.

“I’m blown away at the response,” Felice said, while noting that the growth of the club has led to membership fees being cut in half for next year. Junior riders (under the age of 18) will be accepted at no cost. He also hopes to form a women’s team.

“We have a great opportunity for amateur cyclists to be treated like professionals at any level they want to ride,” he said.

Rooly Eyewear out of Ontario, Calif., will be a sponsor through 2012. The Silo Restaurant in Lewiston will be back for next year, as will the Falls’ Beeton’s Cyclery and Advance Chiropractic. Felice has also gained the backing of Lewiston Village Pub for 2010.

Now that’s some support — support that has Felice thinking big for the future.

“I had my team dinner in October at my house,” he said. “I hope the next time we have our end-of-the-season team banquet that we have to rent a hall.

“My goal is to build the value of this club and of my teams into the 50- to 100-rider range, with cyclists wearing our jerseys, riding our bikes and competing in events throughout the world.”

The 40-year-old Felice, who took 12th place out of a field of 77 riders at the Clearwater Classic Criterium on Sept. 27 in Clearwater, Fla., is also working on opening up his own bike shop this spring, which will be based for the club and the teams and will be open to the public for bike sales.

“It’s going to be an old traditional Italian bike cafe, like you might find in Italy,” he said.

Felice credits the growth of Bike Boy to the dedication of his teammates — Jim Martino was named first annual Club Bike Boy Team Rider of the Year for his commitment to the club — sponsors, team mechanic Dave Draper, as well as the unwavering backing of the riders’ families.

“A lot of families traveled with us, came to the events, supported us. A lot of wives and kids sacrificed time with their fathers so their dads could go out and ride a bike. There’s a lot of things people can be doing out there, and we’re trying to better our lifestyle and our health and promote safe cycling within the community.”

More information can be found at bikeboyracing.com, or by contacting usacycling39@yahoo.com or 417-1611.